Photonic sensor particles and fabrication methods

Abstract

The invention is related to optical particles (10), use of optical particles in sensing applications, and methods of fabricating optical particles that can target a desired analyte. The invention is also related to the self assembly of individual optical particles. An advantage of the invention is that it includes self-assembling individual photonic crystal sensors onto a target. In an embodiment of the invention, a processed sensor structure having two generally opposing surfaces is provided, wherein each of the opposing surfaces have different surface affinities, with a first optical structure formed on one of the opposing surfaces, and a second optical structure formed on the other of the opposing surfaces. The chemically and optically asymmetric opposing surfaces will spontaneously align at an organic liquid / water interface. Changes in the optical response of at least one of the opposing surfaces indicate the presence of a particular analyte for sensing applications.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] A field of the invention is sensing. Example applications for particles of the invention include high throughput screening, drug discovery, biomedical implants, information display, optical switching, and chemical and biological sensor fields. BACKGROUND ART [0002] Microscopic devices for moving toward specific, predetermined targets to isolate and detect those targets could be invaluable for a variety of applications, such as environmental monitoring, medical diagnostic, or therapeutic applications. However, many of the components required by such microscopic devices are too small or overly complex to be fabricated using conventional lithographic tools. Manipulation of matter at a nanoscale level is accordingly highly advantageous. [0003] Self-assembly reactions provide one route for constructing 1-, 2-, and 3-dimensional objects in this size regime. For example, covalent bonds between alkanethiols and gold substrates have been used to pattern surfaces in 2 d...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0004] The invention is related to optical particles, use of optical particles in sensing applications, and methods of fabricating optical particles that can target a desired analyte. The invention is also related to the self-assembly of individual optical particles. An advantage of the invention is that it includes self-assembling individual photonic crystal sensors onto a target. In an embodiment of the invention, a processed sensor structure having two generally opposing surfaces is provided, wherein each of the opposing surfaces have different surface affinities, with a first optical structure formed on one of the opposing surfaces, and a second optical structure formed on the other of the opposing surfaces. The chemically and optically asymmetric opposing surfaces will spontaneously align at an organic liquid / water interface. Changes in the optical response of at least one of the opposing surfaces indicate the presence of a particular analyte for sensing applications.

is that it includes self-assembling individual photonic crystal sensors onto a target. In an embodiment of the invention, a processed sensor structure having two generally opposing surfaces is provided, wherein each of the opposing surfaces have different surface affinities, with a first optical structure formed on one of the opposing surfaces, and a second optical structure formed on the other of the opposing surfaces. The chemically and optically asymmetric opposing surfaces will spontaneously align at an organic liquid / water interface. Changes in the optical response of at least one of the opposing surfaces indicate the presence of a particular analyte for sensing applications.

Problems solved by technology

However, many of the components required by such microscopic devices are too small or overly complex to be fabricated using conventional lithographic tools.

Images